ERC Conference Presentation ; Export Jim Love

1. The ERC Challenge!
Complete the following sentence in up to 140
characters
“In order to encourage small businesses
we should.........”
Enter by tweeting #smallbizbritain or via the Message
Boards in the Refreshment Room.
A bottle of champagne goes to the winner!

2. Making Growth Happen –
Exports and Growing Global
Jim Love, Stephen Roper and Ying Zhou

3. Why does exporting matter
for SMEs?
….because it’s good for INNOVATION and GROWTH
• Evidence suggests:
– SMEs that export grow more than twice as fast as those that do
not.
– ‘Internationally active’ SMEs are three times more likely to
introduce new sector products or services than other SMEs.
• Firms which both export and innovate have higher productivity
growth benefiting the UK economy as a whole.

4. Where does the UK stand on
SME exporting?
Source: Survey 2009, Internationalisation of European SMEs EIM/GDCC (N=9480)
… broadly comparable to to other major EU economies

5. The landscape of UK SME exporters
Source: Small Business Survey 2012

6. Changing the landscape
9-
12%
Source: Small Business Survey 2012
9-12%
50%+

7. The export policy challenge!
Who has export potential?
• Innovation is one of the key markers of export potential
• Key indicators of becoming persistent exporters include:
– Previous international experience
– A clear overseas plan
• Persistent exporters and those with more international experience tend to be
more export intensive

8. Targeting support
• Positive results occur where SMEs take advantage of external support.
• BUT awareness of UKTI services is limited reducing potential take-up of
export support.
• Potential exporters and persistent exporters are support-ready and may
benefit most from being offered UKTI support.
• Focus on these two groups for more targeted marketing of export support
services to SMEs.